Can't We Skip Dating?

"This is the standing posture for a maid in standby mode. Please maintain this pose, memorize it with your body, and listen carefully."

Standing before Nanami, Hayasaka Ai used herself as the model for Nanami to imitate, then gradually adjusted her posture with precise, subtle tweaks, making her stance more upright but not overly strenuous.

"According to Akira's request, your main area of training will be in cooking. Since this isn't my field of expertise, I've arranged for one of the Shinomiya family chefs to instruct you. 

To avoid bringing unnecessary trouble to Mr. Ogiwara, your identity will remain secret for the time being."

"In front of the chef, you are simply a 'regular student from Shuchiin Academy' who knows the young lady. 

You are studying to become a maid in order to gain access to the households of the wealthy.

After obtaining the young lady's approval, you came here during summer break to receive my guidance. Please remember that."

Nanami didn't fully understand what kind of unnecessary trouble that meant, but she grasped that it was to avoid inconveniencing Akira, so she nodded without question and memorized the setup.

"When lunchtime approaches, you'll go to the kitchen to help out. But for now, let's start with the basics." Hayasaka Ai paused and then asked, 

"Miss Aoyama, what do you think is the most fundamental requirement for a servant?"

Thinking back on everything she had observed since meeting Hayasaka Ai—every gesture flawlessly executed except that one time she flopped onto the sofa—Nanami tentatively replied,

"Etiquette?"

"No. It's awareness of your role. You must be clear about your position and act in alignment with your master."

Hayasaka Ai took a step forward, closing what had already been a minimal gap. 

Although they were of equal height, the subtle pressure radiating from her made Nanami feel unmistakably intimidated.

"If the guest is someone your master must treat with deference, then you, too, must show humility, so as not to bring misfortune upon your master. 

If it's someone your master treats normally, you show polished manners to reflect your master's nobility and refinement. 

If the guest is someone your master disdains or avoids, you must maintain a cold courtesy and draw a clear line."

"That's why I said—even if the Shinomiya family head were to appear in person—you wouldn't need to actually bow, because Mr. Ogiwara has no one he needs to bow to. 

If you lower yourself unnecessarily, that's not etiquette—it's a disgrace to Mr. Ogiwara."

"Of course, unless it's someone Mr. Ogiwara genuinely dislikes, you also mustn't be arrogant. Just fulfill your duties properly."

Picturing herself in front of someone of such high status, Nanami pressed her lips together and gave a serious nod.

"You're too stiff. Relax a little."

Hayasaka Ai again adjusted her posture, then returned to the same slightly pressuring distance as before, seemingly pondering something, and after a moment, hesitated.

"Hayasaka-san?" Nanami asked. 

"If you have anything to say, please go ahead."

Hayasaka Ai shook her head. "Not a criticism. I'm just wondering… maybe Mr. Ogiwara doesn't care about any of this, or about social appearances. Am I being too strict?"

The question made Nanami pause. In her mind, Akira certainly had a cold and severe side, but he was also someone who didn't seem concerned with formalities. 

He was surprisingly easygoing.

But soon, she recalled something he had said when offering her the job.

"Aoyama-san, if you truly have any pride, this isn't the time to worry about me giving you too much. 

What you should be thinking about is how to be worthy of the salary I'm offering you."

The confusion in Nanami's eyes vanished. She responded firmly, "No, Hayasaka -san. Please hold me to the highest standards."

"You might not yet understand what I mean by high standards, Miss Aoyama," Hayasaka Ai replied neutrally. 

"It means you'll be exhausted. You'll learn things you may never use. Mr. Ogiwara may never even notice."

Nanami's expression didn't change at all, nor did her resolve.

"Maybe he doesn't care," she said. 

"But that doesn't mean I shouldn't. I don't want to embarrass him. I want to be worthy of the pay he's giving me."

Hayasaka Ai raised her eyebrows slightly, reassessing this girl who had seemed so ordinary.

She was beginning to understand why Akira had taken an interest in her.

"Very well. It seems you already possess the awareness needed of a servant. I understand. From now on, I'll train you under the strictest standards."

As she spoke, Hayasaka Ai stepped forward again.

The space between them was already tight—this step brought her nearly flush against Nanami.

Whether it was due to the calmly imposing aura or just an instinctual alertness toward strangers, Nanami reflexively wanted to step back. 

But as soon as she moved, Hayasaka Ai grabbed her shoulders and pinned her in place.

"If we're going to be strict, then remember this first: you must not retreat."

Hayasaka Ai stared directly into her eyes, their foreheads nearly touching.

"A servant represents part of the master's honor. You must not bow your head, must not show fear, must not retreat. 

Imagine your master standing behind you—if you flinch or move aside, you're exposing him to danger."

Listening to those words, Nanami stood firm, feeling like a soldier.

"Yes, exactly, that's the spirit. You don't back down—I do."

With that, Hayasaka Ai stepped back to a more comfortable speaking distance.

"Maybe Mr. Ogiwara doesn't need your protection, but like you said, that doesn't mean you shouldn't care. 

Most of the time there won't be physical threats, so standing your ground is more about attitude than action."

"Of course, not everyone will be polite. Sometimes you'll run into people who barge in rudely. 

If you get knocked down just like that, you'll look pathetic. Any disgrace on your part reflects poorly on your master."

"So?" Nanami asked, struggling to think of a solution.

"So I recommend you punch them," Hayasaka Ai replied.

Nanami finally heard something she had a hard time processing.

"Punch them…?"

Hayasaka Ai threw a punch sharply into the air. With a blur Nanami couldn't even follow, a breeze swept through and tousled the strands of hair by her forehead.

"Yes, punch them. This afternoon, I'm adding hand-to-hand combat lessons to your training."

It was only then that Nanami started to understand—she truly hadn't grasped what Hayasaka Ai meant by "strict," or how exhausting it was going to be.

Still, combat training…

She looked down at her hands and slowly curled them into fists.

She was a little intrigued.

"Could I ever get as good as you?"

"That level takes long-term practice. It's impossible to reach within a short training period," Hayasaka Ai answered precisely. 

"But at the very least, you'll gain the awareness and ability to throw a punch. If someone catches you off guard, you'll still stand a good chance of knocking them down."

"Alright! I'll be counting on you, Hayasaka -san!"

Seeing the faint excitement on Nanami's face, Hayasaka Ai had the vague sense that she might have just opened a strange new door for the girl.

But really, the chances of actually needing that skill were slim. On the other hand, the chances of her punching someone out of reflex later… that might be significantly higher…

Hayasaka Ai suddenly regretted adding this lesson.

"Miss Aoyama, if possible, please don't tell anyone I taught you combat—not even Mr. Ogiwara."

"I mean… sure, I can. But why?"

Hayasaka Ai didn't answer. She just shook her head.

She couldn't exactly say, "Because I have a feeling the first person you'll punch after learning this will be Mr. Ogiwara, and I'm just trying to cover my own ass."

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